By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
The Church’s teaching on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is deeply rooted in the teaching of sacred Scripture.
Tag: sacraments
Sacrament of Penance: examination of conscience
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
We have seen, in the first article about this sacrament, that three things are necessary for its valid celebration: contrition for the sins one has committed; confession to a priest of all serious sins; and satisfaction of the penance which is asked of the penitent.
Sacrament of Penance is a gift to the Church
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
This is the first in a series of articles examining the theology and spirituality of the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.
The Gospels bring out clearly that Jesus wanted to give authority regarding sin to His Church.
One example will suffice — John 20:21-23: “He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
The Holy Eucharist: Theology and Spirituality, part three
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
This is the third in a series of articles examining the theology and spirituality of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
In the previous two articles on the theology and spirituality of the Holy Eucharist, there were outlined a number of important points about the faith of the Church in this central sacrament.
Prayers of the Mass on Feast of Corpus Christi
In a very telling way, almost all these points are expressed in the Prayer texts of Holy Mass for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), which we have just celebrated on Sunday, June 3.
The Collect/Opening Prayer of Holy Mass on the solemnity, for example, speaks of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist as the memorial of Christ’s Passion — as does the Preface.
The Holy Eucharist: Theology and Spirituality, part two
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
We have seen in a previous reflection that the first thing the Holy Eucharist does is proclaim God’s great love for us, above all through the Paschal Mystery of Jesus (i.e., His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension) which is the means of our eternal salvation.
In the light of that great divine love coming to us, through sacramental signs, we need to respond in faith and in love.
The Holy Eucharist: Theology and Spirituality, part one
By Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB
As we begin this reflection on the theology and spirituality in the Holy Eucharist, it would be well to think first about the meaning of the word “Eucharist” itself. It comes from the Greek, and has two main parts: “Eu” and “charis.”
Meaning of the word
“Eu” means “good.” The basic meaning of “charis” is “gift.” Putting them together, we have “a good gift.” The “good gift” referred to is what God has done for His chosen and beloved People. He has, first of all, created us and given us life.
Chrism Mass unites bishop, priests, people
The sounds of trumpets, timpani, and harp and the smell of incense enhanced the prayers of the faithful of the Diocese of Madison as they united with their bishop and priests at the Chrism Mass celebrated on Tuesday of Holy Week, March 26, at St. Maria Goretti Church.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part four
This is the final installment in a four-part series on the Eucharist.
In the last segment of this history of Holy Mass, we noted the rise of the “Liturgical Movement” in the 19th century — an effort to achieve genuine and deep renewal of the sacred liturgy. In the United States, certain monasteries led the movement in a particular way, much as had been the case in Europe.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part three
Council of Trent (1545-1563)
The Council of Trent was called not primarily to look at the liturgy, but rather to counter the attack on the doctrine and practice of the Church by the reformers. The Reformation in northern Europe had devastated the Church. The Council wanted to restore it to full theological orthodoxy in the face of attacks on Catholic beliefs, and to renew the vigor of the life of Catholics.
The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part two
Fourth through Seventh Centuries
With the end of official state persecution, the Church was able to develop in a very different way — and this development was aided by the support of the Roman Emperor, beginning with Constantine I (306-337). This period saw a great deal of adaptation by the Church of religious and secular forms which had been part of Roman culture throughout its pagan history. Here are just two examples: